Archaeologists working in Honduras say they have discovered the jade-encrusted remains of a powerful Mayan king, which they hope will throw more light on to the political organisation of the Maya civilization.

One of the archaeologist, Seiichi Nakamura, told the BBC the remains belong to a king of a dynasty ruling in the ancient city of Copan, 200km west of what is now the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa, and could be dated back to the sixth century.

The tomb also contained the remains of a woman and a two-year-old child, apparently sacrificed in the king's honour.

The Mayan empire extended across what is now southern Mexico, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras and flourished for more than 600 years.